Chapter 227
The heavy rain had delayed all departures, and Briony’s flight was no exception.
She’d booked a first–class ticket, so she waited out the storm in the airport’s VIP lounge.
To pass the time, Briony picked up a magazine from a nearby table and began flipping through it absently.
Suddenly, the polished toes of a pair of black dress shoes stopped right in front of her.
Puzzled, Briony looked up–and found herself staring into Stewart’s dark, inscrutable eyes.
Her lips pressed together, and her brow furrowed, almost instinctively.
A faint, knowing smile played at the corner of Stewart’s mouth. “Heading to Silveridge too?” he asked.
Briony felt a vague but unmistakable sense of foreboding settle in her chest.
“Judging by your face, I got it right,” Stewart said, his voice low and even. “I’m on my way to Silveridge as well.”
Briony said nothing.
He glanced at the empty seat beside her and, without the slightest hesitation, sat down.
“Are you going for the Antiquarian Society’s documentary shoot?” he asked.
“That’s none of your business,” Briony replied coolly, barely giving him a glance before returning to her magazine,
After what had happened last time at City Hall–the way Stewart had played her for a fool–she saw no reason to pretend civility anymore.
This man was selfish and manipulative, always looking out for himself, always finding new ways to use her. If that was the case, why should she bother maintaining appearances?
But she had underestimated Stewart.
No matter how openly she displayed her disgust, he seemed completely unfazed.
“This documentary will also cover some legal issues about protecting cultural artifacts,” he continued, as if her rudeness didn’t register. “So I’ll be participating in a few segments.”
Briony’s lips tightened with impatience. She didn’t want to hear any of this.
Stewart’s dark eyes lingered on her cold profile, his mouth curving just slightly. “You really don’t want to talk to me at all, do you?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to talk to you,” she said, finally lifting her head and taking a steadying breath. Her eyes, icy and bright, locked onto his. “If you want to discuss when we’re signing the divorce papers, I’d be more than happy to have that conversation.”
Stewart raised an eyebrow. “Let’s save that for after we get back from Silveridge.”
She’d expected as much. It wouldn’t be the first time he dodged the issue; she wasn’t about to be fooled by him
again.
“Calling you ‘despicable‘ is practically “You-!” Rosita, ever the drama queen, held herself back at the last second, her curse dying in her throat. The next moment, the call cut off.
Briony calmly saved a recording of the conversation.
She’d hit record the instant she saw Rosita’s name flash on the screen. Dealing with Rosita was like swatting at a persistent fly–annoying, gross, impossible to ignore, but ultimately harmless. For a while, Briony had thought simply keeping her distance would be enough. But lately, she’d realized people like Rosita never took a hint; the more you ignored them, the bolder they got.
So, Briony had decided she wouldn’t stay silent anymore. Not that she’d stoop to Rosita’s level and start a feud–she didn’t have the energy for petty drama. But as the saying goes, play with fire and you’ll eventually get burned.
She was sure of it: Rosita’s comeuppance would come soon enough.
That evening, Briony had plans to meet Stella for dinner.
Stella’s car pulled up outside just before six. James was with her.
Spotting James lounging in the backseat, Briony buckled herself into the passenger seat and turned around. “Feeling better?”
“Was discharged today!” James declared with pride, chin held high. “Dr. Clarke said my recovery was nothing short of miraculous!”
Briony grinned. “That’s the perk of being young–fast healing.”
“Exactly!” James leaned forward eagerly. “So, what’s for dinner tonight? I’ve been living on bland hospital food for weeks. Tonight, I want real food. Meat. Lots of it!”
Stella chimed in, “How about that bistro we went to last time? Both of you need something nourishing–one just out of the hospital, the other expecting. Their menu’s perfect.”
Briony nodded. “I’m good with anything.”
“I’ll defer to Bryn,” James announced magnanimously. “Our goddaughter’s needs come first!”
Stella rolled her eyes at him in the rearview mirror. “What if it’s a boy?”
“Don’t jinx it!” James shot back, scandalized. “I’m sure it’ll be a girl–actually, they’ll all be girls, and just like Bryn!”
Briony and Stella exchanged a look, stifling laughter.
Stella couldn’t resist teasing, “If all the babies turn out to be boys, Mr. Delaney will be devastated, huh?”
“Stella!” James protested, “Don’t say that–knock on wood!”
Their laughter filled the car, the mood light and easy thanks to James’s antics.
At the restaurant, the three settled into a private booth and browsed the menu. It wasn’t a weekend, so the food arrived quickly.
James dug in with gusto, barely pausing to talk. It was obvious his hospital stay had left him craving a proper meal.
“In two days, I’ll be off to the middle of nowhere on assignment,” Stella groaned, picking at her fork.
Briony paused. “You’re leaving that soon?”
“What do you mean, ‘you too‘?” Stella frowned. “Where are you going?”
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Chapter 226
“I’m off to Silveridge,” Briony explained, glancing at James. “My professor recommended me for a documentary shoot about cultural heritage.”
“I heard,” James said, swallowing a bite of steak. “It’s a national project–fantastic opportunity! Don’t worry about the studio, I’ll keep an eye on things here.”
Briony had worried James might object, but his easygoing response was reassuring.
“So you’re filming for the National Cultural Heritage Board?” Stella asked, her eyes shining with excitement. “Does this mean you’re about to get famous?”
Briony laughed. “Hardly. It’s just a documentary, not my big break.”
“Still beats what I’m doing!” Stella sighed. “I can’t even enjoy my food, knowing I’ll be stuck in the mountains for a week.”
“How long will you be gone?” Briony asked.
“At least a week.” Stella took a sip of tea. “Honestly, I don’t want to go, but Quentin asked me personally. I couldn’t say no. The only upside is Dr. Clarke’s going too–at least I’ll have one familiar face around.”
“If Dr. Clarke will be there, I’m relieved,” Briony said.
Stella shot her a puzzled look. “Why’s that? Don’t tell me you secretly expect something from Cedric Clarke?”
Briony gave her a knowing glance. Stella was completely oblivious to Dr. Clarke’s feelings, but Briony decided not to say more; some things people just needed to figure out for themselves.
Besides, Stella had never been interested in romance, and Briony knew that for Stella, hearing about Dr. Clarke’s feelings would only be a burden. Better to let things unfold naturally.
The rainy season had arrived.
On the day of departure, a steady drizzle pounded the city.
Before boarding, Briony called Stella. Stella was just getting on her shuttle bus; once everyone was on board, they’d be off.
“Be careful in the mountains,” Briony reminded her. “The weather’s awful lately. Don’t go out at night, and during the day, stick with your team–no wandering off alone, promise me?”
“Alright, alright! You sound more nagging than my mother,” Stella said with a laugh. “Gotta go, the bus is leaving.”
“Okay.”
Briony ended the call, pocketed her phone, and headed toward the security checkpoint.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning split the sky, the rain intensifying in an instant.
She paused, glancing outside. Cars huddled near the curb, wipers swishing furiously, while travelers dashed for the terminal.
Briony stood motionless, her eyelid twitching inexplicably, a strange sense of unease settling over her.
19:56
a compliment,” Briony said, her tone flat.
Stewart said nothing, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on her.
She hadn’t expected him to act like a normal person. Rolling her eyes, she turned away and focused on her phone instead.
A message popped up from James: The rain’s really coming down out there. Has your flight been delayed?
Briony typed back a quick “Yes.”
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Chapter 227
Moments later, James’s name flashed on her screen. She answered and walked over to the floor–to–ceiling windows.
“Any idea when you’ll take off?” he asked.
“Nothing yet. They said there’s lightning, so if it doesn’t clear up, the flight might be canceled. But the rain’s letting up a little now.”
“If it’s canceled, call me and I’ll come pick you up,” James said.
“Okay.”
“And if it isn’t, call your professor before takeoff–he’ll need to know when to come get you.”
“I know, Mr. Delaney.” Briony couldn’t help but laugh. “You worry too much. You’ll give yourself gray hair.”
James snorted. “If my goddaughter weren’t in your belly, I wouldn’t even be making this call.”
Briony smiled, lips pressed together.
Behind her, Stewart sat silently on the sofa, never taking his eyes off her.
The lounge was quiet. Briony’s conversation was soft, but even so, a gentle warmth crept into her voice–a voice that was naturally delicate, with a steady, comforting cadence. It was the kind of voice made for reading bedtime stories.
Over the past five years, it had proven to be just that. Irwin, for one, had grown completely dependent on Briony’s nightly readings. Now that she’d moved out, the boy had nightmares almost every night.
Thinking about this, Stewart’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Briony didn’t talk for long. Once she hung up and turned around, she found Stewart’s dark gaze fixed on her, catching her off guard.
She hesitated, then pretended not to notice him, striding right out of the lounge.
Stewart watched her leave, his expression unreadable.
Briony made her way to the convenience shop and bought a cup of hot milk. When she returned, Stewart was
gone.
She felt instantly lighter, settling into her seat and sipping her drink, enjoying the rare moment of peace.
Not long after she finished her milk, an airport staff member approached to let her know it was time to board.
On the plane, Briony glanced at the seat beside hers–and there was Stewart, once again.
Suppressing a sigh, she sat down and ignored him completely. Stewart barely glanced her way before returning to whatever was on his phone.
Briony asked a flight attendant for a small blanket, then sent a message to Stella before takeoff.
Briony: [I checked the weather–it’s supposed to rain all week. Please be careful!]
Stella: [Don’t worry! A few of us have done this two or three times already. They always send us this time of year. It’s just damp, nothing dangerous.]
Briony felt a little more at ease.
The announcement came over the speakers: please switch your phones to airplane mode.
Briony did as instructed, slipped her phone into her bag, and fastened her seatbelt.
As the plane taxied and then climbed into the sky, she settled in, pulling on her sleep mask and wrapping herself in the blanket, turning her back to Stewart.
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Chapter 227
Sleep came fitfully. Her dreams were a jumble of flashing images, none of them clear enough to grasp.
She woke with a start–the plane was shuddering violently.
Briony yanked off her sleep mask.
“Hey, it’s okay.” Stewart’s low voice was surprisingly gentle as his large hand closed over hers, steadying her grip on the armrest..
